(BlackFitness101.com) There are many myths regarding fitness, and pregnancy. One myth is exercise is damaging so one should restrain form working out for nine months. This could not be further from the truth. Exercise, within reason, while pregnant is a great benefit for your health. Pregnancy is definitely not the time to become prostrate, and low in activity. Grant it there will be days whereby we don’t feel like moving, but we must try. How we exercise will change throughout the pregnancy, the benefits are endless. On the other hand, if you are a regular at the gym certain exercises will have to be scaled back, or eliminated as your pregnancy progresses.
Obstetricians are impressing upon patients the importance of exercise. “You need to be physically active during pregnancy. It 
has terrific benefits that are associated with a better pregnancy outcome and even shorter labors. It’s a win-win for baby and for mom,” says high-risk pregnancy expert Laura Riley, MD, spokeswoman for the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and author of Pregnancy: You and Your Baby.” If a woman is experiencing a high risk pregnancy she might not be able to work out, but depending on the circumstances the doctor may clear very low impact movements that will benefit the mother. Exercise can help stave off two known pregnancy ailments: preeclampsia and gestational diabetes.
Preeclampsia is a condition that usually shows itself in the second half of the pregnancy. It is marked by high blood pressure that results in serious swelling in the feet and legs; it can be life threatening. Gestational diabetes is the onset of diabetes during a pregnancy whereby dial had not previously existed. Exercising regularly during ones pregnancy can greatly reduce the chances of facing these complications. “You need to be physically active during pregnancy. It has terrific benefits that are associated with a better pregnancy outcome and even shorter labors. It’s a win-win for baby and for mom,” says high-risk pregnancy expert Laura Riley, MD, spokeswoman for the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and author of Pregnancy: You and Your Baby.
When exercising it is important to do what feels comfortable, or what is familiar that has been a part of your regular workout. Walking, yoga and water exercises are usually easy go to workouts. If you are choosing to workout outside be sure to make sure it’s not wet nor slippery as balance is very delicate in pregnancy. Another exercise that proves beneficial is walking stairs. “Walking stairs is a great workout, because as you get heavier, you’ll need stronger legs,” says Erin O’Brien, a prenatal and postnatal exercise specialist based in Pasadena, Calif., who created the Complete Pregnancy Fitness with Erin O’Brien exercise DVD. “Put on some rock-and-roll and walk up and down your stairs for 20 minutes, up until you’re 36 weeks pregnant.”
Exercising while pregnant is very important to overall health. Being consistent in this area increases strength, aids in smoother delivery, decreases chance for complicated conditions, and helps maintain healthy weight. Exercising can also help release tension allowing more of a relaxed disposition. The benefits are endless, and worth the extra work.
Staff Writer; Christian Starr
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